Research Interests

Human activities have caused extensive fragmentation of riverine corridors. Dams, culverts, and other barriers prevent migratory and riverine fishes from accessing key habitats. This is particularly problematic for diadromous fishes like Atlantic salmon and American shad that must transition between fresh- and saltwater habitats in order to complete their life cycles. My research interests focus on identifying conditions that are most conducive to improving passage at barriers. I use an integrative approach, incorporating biomechanics, physiology, ecology, behavior, and engineering. Swimming performance and behavioral responses to hydraulic conditions (turbulence, velocity, etc.) are major interests, as is development of quantitative methods for identifying and characterizing barriers. This work has broad relevance, not only to stewardship and management of aquatic resources, but also to understanding fundamental aspects of the ecology and evolution of fishes. Some current projects include:

Sprint-swimming performance of migratory and riverine species

Effects of turbulence on swimming performance, biomechanics, and behavior

Physiology, behavior, and passage performance of South American fish species

Representative Publications

Castro-Santos,T. and Haro,A. 2013. Survival and behavioral effects of exposure to a hydrokinetic turbine on juvenile Atlantic salmon and adult American shad. Estuaries and Coasts, DOI 10.1007/s12237-013-9680-6.

Castro-Santos, T. and Letcher, B. 2010. Modeling migratory energetics of Connecticut River American shad (Alosa sapidissima): implications for the conservation of an iteroparous anadromous fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 67: 806-830.